The Best of Barnard

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Late spring is full of energy and anticipation on campus. Our seniors are preparing to graduate and other students are excited for summer jobs and internships. Our alumnae are preparing to return for Reunion weekend. And across Barnard, we’re reflecting on a year marked by community, growth, and resilience and planning for the future.

Our community came together in so many ways this past year. We kicked off our Zora Neale Hurston Centennial and 100 Years of Black Students at Barnard celebration with the Lewis- Ezekoye Distinguished Lecture, where Edwidge Danticat ’90 explored Hurston’s journey across cultures and disciplines. We opened the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being to support the physical, mental, and financial health of all students, faculty, and staff. At the annual Athena Film Festival at Barnard College, audiences found bold, original stories of women leading change and breaking down gender stereotypes. These moments reflect the best of Barnard: thoughtful, courageous, and always pushing forward.

Of course, we’ve also weathered many challenges. This has been a hard year for higher education and for everyone who cares about it. Caring isn’t easy. But neither is Barnard. 

Students come to Barnard to challenge and push themselves. To learn. To grow. To ask questions that matter. To become the best version of themselves. That’s what Barnard stands for. And that’s what we must always protect.

We’ve stayed firmly grounded in our mission throughout this year. Importantly, Barnard doesn’t teach students what to think. Instead, we help our students learn how to think for themselves —– more deeply, more precisely, and more creatively. We give students the tools, the confidence, and the experiences they need to lead the world.

That mission has never felt more urgent than it does today, and the Barnard community has never been more important. This spring, we thank a key member of our community —– Cheryl Milstein ’82, P’14 —– for nearly three decades of extraordinary service to Barnard, including eight years as Chair of the Barnard Board of Trustees. Cheryl’s leadership has helped shape the College, and Barnard is stronger because of her vision and generosity.

We’re also thrilled to welcome Laura Blankfein ’75, P’13, as our new Chair. Laura brings a deep commitment to Barnard, reflected in her many years of service as a Trustee.  

As we prepare to welcome alumnae back to campus for reunions, I hope they will see what I see: a campus ready for the future and guided by purpose. With the launch of Barnard|Next, a new program that provides alumnae with the chance to keep learning from our faculty, that purpose now extends beyond the student years. Learning is a lifelong imperative, and Barnard is a lifelong connection.

Thank you for everything you do to support and contribute to our extraordinary community.